LIVE REVIEW
MAXIMO PARK
O2 CITY HALL NEWCASTLE
Photography and review David Weddle @dweddlephotography
Artist: Maximo Park - Venue: O2 City Hall Newcastle
Date: 21st of February 2026
Artist: Maximo Park - Venue: O2 City Hall Newcastle
Date: 21st of February 2026
If you have ever been to Newcastle City Hall, you will know there is something very special about the place. A venue steeped in history, and last night was an extra special night as Maximo Park walked on to the hallowed boards of O2 City Hall Newcastle's stage for the first of two hometown shows. Night one was completely sold out, with fans standing shoulder to shoulder as they waited for the opener, Art Brut, to kick things off.
And kick things off they most certainly did with the opening bars of AC/DC's 'Back in Black', which quickly morphed into 'Formed a Band', and from that moment on, we were treated to an explosive set full of quirky lyrics and comedic narration from frontman Eddie Argos. They are incredibly entertaining and definitely a great choice for energising a crowd. Check them out; you won't be disappointed. They came to rock out, and Wham! Bang! Pow! They did just that.
And kick things off they most certainly did with the opening bars of AC/DC's 'Back in Black', which quickly morphed into 'Formed a Band', and from that moment on, we were treated to an explosive set full of quirky lyrics and comedic narration from frontman Eddie Argos. They are incredibly entertaining and definitely a great choice for energising a crowd. Check them out; you won't be disappointed. They came to rock out, and Wham! Bang! Pow! They did just that.
ART BRUT - Photos: David Weddle
I thought City Hall was already full, but by the time Maximo Park took to the stage, the place seemed to be bursting at the seams. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd getting going from the moment the band walked on stage.
This tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of Maximo Park's album A Certain Trigger, and their 21-song set featured a good chunk of tracks from that album, including the first song of the night and the opening track on the album, Signal and Sign.
It could have been the fact that it was a hometown crowd, but the audience was so loud at times that you could be forgiven for thinking you were in an arena. Awesome! Frontman Paul Smith looked like he was having a great time, soaking up the atmosphere, and who can blame him? The room was jumping.
The fans definitely got their money's worth with Maximo Park playing a set that would please even the most hardcore fan. It included Graffiti, The Night I Lost My Head and, of course, the band's classics Books from Boxes and Going Missing making an appearance during the encore.
This tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of Maximo Park's album A Certain Trigger, and their 21-song set featured a good chunk of tracks from that album, including the first song of the night and the opening track on the album, Signal and Sign.
It could have been the fact that it was a hometown crowd, but the audience was so loud at times that you could be forgiven for thinking you were in an arena. Awesome! Frontman Paul Smith looked like he was having a great time, soaking up the atmosphere, and who can blame him? The room was jumping.
The fans definitely got their money's worth with Maximo Park playing a set that would please even the most hardcore fan. It included Graffiti, The Night I Lost My Head and, of course, the band's classics Books from Boxes and Going Missing making an appearance during the encore.
For a band that has been around for a quarter of a century, it is little wonder that they have such a loyal fanbase, but what I saw and heard last night took things to the next level. An electrifying night of good, honest rock that gave the home crowd everything they could possibly want, and some of those will be lucky enough to do it all again on night two.
